Remote Control

​If you've ever wanted to explore the underwater world using your own ROV (remotely-operated vehicle), there are now a number of consumer models in the works. The Sibiu Nano is one of the most recent to hit the scene, and it's being made with the do-it-yourselfer in mind.

Not everyone who owns a DSLR is a highly-skilled photographer, yet they do all want their photos to look good. Well, that's why Aurga was created. It's a plug-in module that uses artificial intelligence to adjust the camera's settings, based on a database of professionally-taken photographs.

Remote-control model boats may indeed be pretty neat, although all that you can really do with the things is drive them back and forth. The PowerDolphin, however, is different. Among other things, it allows users to find fish, and shoot HD stills and video both above and below the surface.

​There was a time when consumer underwater drones were rarely heard of, but there are now a fair number that are in various stages of production. One of the latest to ping our sonar is the 4K-shooting FiFish P3, from Chinese/Taiwanese company Qysea.

​In the world of underwater robotic vehicles, there are basically two kinds: Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). Aquabotix has recently combined the two in one device, with the release of the Integra AUV/ROV.

​It was a couple of years ago that Alpine Labs introduced Pulse. Now, the company has successfully crowdfunded a follow-up device, known as Spark. It allows users to remotely control their camera not only via their phone, but also in two other ways.

​Toyota has unveiled an assistive robot test bed that builds on previous work undertaken by its Partner Robot wing. A human operator controls movement remotely in real time, with the T-HR3 busting moves like performing Tai Chi and building Lego-like structures with precision.​

In a different coming together of video games and real life, winner of the 2011 GT Academy, Jann Mardenborough has remotely driven an actual Nissan GT-R at speeds of up to 211 km/h (131 mph) around Silverstone using a PlayStation DualShock 4 controller.

Hate searching for the TV remote? Well, with Matchpoint technology, any object can be used as a remote – you can even just use hand movements on their own. Also, unlike with some other gesture control systems, users don't have to memorize different movements for different commands.

​It was six years ago that we first heard about PowerUp, a kit that added a motorized propeller to paper airplanes. Since then, remote-control functionality has been added, and a version with an onboard camera was released. Now there's the PowerUp Dart, which is designed to perform aerobatic stunts.